Multi-writer head with a single operational writer

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a recording head for use with a data storage medium in a data storage device. The method includes forming first and second writers of different target geometries. A first recording measurement is performed on one or more storage media using the first writer. A second recording measurement is performed on the one or more storage media using the second writer. Based on a comparison of the first and second recording measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first writer or the second writer is selected to be operational in the data storage device.

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/996,833, filed Jan. 15, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/266,431, filed Dec. 11, 2015 and entitled“SELECTABLE WRITERS FOR REDUCED PERFORMANCE VARIANCE, AND SELECTIONMETHOD THEREOF,” the contents of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/996,833and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/266,431 are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Data storage devices, such as disc drives, use magnetic recording headsto read and/or write data on magnetic storage media, such as a datastorage discs. In a typical disc drive, one or more discs are mounted ona spindle motor, which causes the disc(s) to spin. Recording headscarried by a slider are used to read from and write to data tracks onthe disc(s). The slider is typically carried by a head arm assembly thatincludes an actuator arm and a suspension assembly. During operation, asthe disc spins, the slider glides above the surface of the disc on asmall cushion of air, for example, and the actuator arm pivots tomovably position the slider with respect to the disc.

As areal recording densities for storage discs increase, technologicaladvances and changes to various components of the disc drives areneeded.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to fabrication of writers (for example,two substantially coplanar writers), each having a different processvariance, and then selecting one of the writers that is most suitablefor operation in a data storage device such as a disc drive.

In one embodiment, a method of forming a recording head is provided. Themethod includes forming first and second writers of different targetgeometries. A first recording measurement is performed on a storagemedium using the first writer. A second recording measurement isperformed on the storage medium using the second writer. Based on acomparison of the first and second recording measurements to apredetermined quantity, either the first writer or the second writer isselected to be operational in a data storage device.

In another embodiment, a data storage device is provided. The datastorage device includes one or more data storage media and at least onerecording head. The recording head has substantially coplanar first andsecond writers of different geometries. Only one of the first or thesecond writer is configured to be operational to record user data on theone or more data storage media.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided that includes forming aplurality of writers with each of the plurality of writers having adifferent target geometry. The method also includes performing recordingmeasurements on one or more storage media using each different one ofthe plurality of writers. The method further includes selecting one ofthe plurality of writers to be operational in a data storage devicebased on a comparison of the recording measurements of the differentones of the plurality of writers to a predetermined quantity.

Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of thedisclosure will be apparent upon reading the following detaileddescription and review of the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a data storage device in whichembodiments of the present application can be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a head including one or moretransducer elements above a magnetic recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wafer fabrication sequence forheads of a data storage device.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of a recording head viewed from anABS.

FIG. 5 is a graph including a plot that shows a dependence of effectivepole width sigma on a difference between a narrow target width of onewriter and a wide target width of another writer.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an interconnect portionproviding an electrical interface to electrical elements of a recordinghead.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing electrical connections between aslider and a trace gimbal assembly (TGA).

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a head suspension assembly thatmay be utilized in a slider tester.

FIG. 9 is a simplified flow diagram of a method of testing a dual writerslider in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing electrical connectionsbetween sliders and TGAs.

FIG. 11 is a simplified flow diagram of a general method embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described below relate to fabrication of writers (forexample, two substantially coplanar writers), each having a differentprocess variance, and then selecting one of the writers that is mostsuitable for operation in a data storage device such as a disc drive.However, prior to providing additional details regarding the differentembodiments, a description of an illustrative operating environment isprovided below.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative operating environment in which certainwriter embodiments formed as disclosed herein may be incorporated. Theoperating environment shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only.Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particularoperating environment such as the operating environment shown in FIG. 1.Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustratively practicedwithin any number of different types of operating environments. Itshould be noted that the same reference numerals are used in differentfigures for same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a data storage device 100including a data storage medium and a head for reading data from and/orwriting data to the data storage medium. As shown in FIG. 1, the datastorage device 100 includes a magnetic data storage medium or disc 102and a head 104. The head 104 including transducer elements (not shown inFIG. 1) is positioned above the data storage medium 102 to read datafrom and/or write data to the data storage medium 102. In the embodimentshown, the data storage medium 102 is a rotatable disc or other magneticstorage medium that includes a magnetic storage layer or layers. Forread and write operations, a spindle motor 106 (illustratedschematically) rotates the medium 102 as illustrated by arrow 107 and anactuator mechanism 110 positions the head 104 relative to data tracks onthe rotating medium 102. Both the spindle motor 106 and actuatormechanism 110 are connected to and operated through drive circuitry 112(schematically shown). The head 104 is coupled to the actuator mechanism110 through a suspension assembly which includes a load beam 120connected to an actuator arm 122 of the mechanism 110 for examplethrough a swage connection.

The transducer elements of the head 104 are coupled to head circuitry132 through flex circuit 134, also known as printed circuit cableassembly (PCCA), to encode and/or decode data. Although FIG. 1illustrates a single load beam 120 coupled to the actuator mechanism110, additional load beams 120 and heads 104 can be coupled to theactuator mechanism 110 to read data from or write data to multiple discsof a disc stack. The actuator mechanism 110 is rotationally coupled to aframe or deck (not shown) through a bearing 124 to rotate about axis126. Rotation of the actuator mechanism 110 moves the head 104 in across track direction as illustrated by arrow 130.

FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration (side view) of the head 104 above themedium 102. The transducer elements on the head 104 are fabricated on aslider 140 to form a transducer portion 142 of the head 104. Thetransducer portion 142 shown includes write elements encapsulated in aninsulating structure to form a write assembly 144 of the head. As shown,the head 104 includes a bearing surface (for example, and air bearingsurface (ABS)) 146 along a bottom surface 150 of the head or sliderfacing the medium 102. The head 104 is coupled to the load beam 120through a gimbal spring 151 coupled to a top surface 152 of the head orslider 140 facing away from the medium 102. The medium 102 can be acontinuous storage medium, a discrete track medium, a bit patternedmedium or other magnetic storage medium including one or more magneticrecording layers.

During operation, rotation of the medium or disc 102 creates an air flowin direction 107 as shown in FIG. 2 along the air bearing surface 146 ofthe slider 140 from a leading edge 154 to the trailing edge 156 of theslider 140 or head 104. Air flow along the air bearing surface 146creates a pressure profile to support the head 104 and slider 140 abovethe medium 102 for read and/or write operations. As shown, thetransducer portion 142 is formed at or near the trailing edge 156 of theslider 140. A description of a general embodiment for forming of atransducer portion such as 142 on a wafer is provided below inconnection with FIG. 3. Thereafter, details regarding specificembodiments are provided.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wafer fabrication sequence forheads of a data storage device. As shown in FIG. 3, multiple thin filmdeposition layers are deposited on a surface 300 of a wafer or substrate302 to form transducer elements 142 (illustrated schematically in FIG.3). As shown, the multiple deposition layers include one or more readelement layers 310 and write element layers 312. The read and writeelement layers 310, 312 are illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.Following deposition of the read and write element layers 310, 312, thewafer 302 is sliced into a bar chunk 316. The bar chunk 316 includes aplurality of slider bars 318 (one slider bar 318 is shown exploded fromthe chunk 316).

The sliced bars 318 have a leading edge 154, a trailing edge 156, abearing surface (for example, an air bearing surface (ABS)) 146 and aback/top surface 152. After the bars 318 are sliced from chunks 316, thetransducer elements 142 (read and write elements) deposited on the wafer302 are orientated along the air bearing surface(s) 146 at the trailingedge 156 of the slider bar 318. The slider bar 318 is sliced to form thesliders 140. Typically, the bar 318 is lapped and the bearing surface(s)146 are etched prior to slicing the bar 318 to form the individualsliders 140. Illustratively, the wafer 302 is formed of a ceramicmaterial such as alumina (Al₂O₃)—titanium carbide (Ti—C). The read andwrite elements are fabricated on the ceramic or substrate material ofthe wafer 302 to form a slider body 140 of the head, and the one or moredeposition layers 310, 312 form the transducer elements 142 along thetrailing edge 156 of the slider body 140.

In one embodiment, fabrication of write element layer(s) 312 is carriedout such that a first writer (Writer 1) of each recording head has afirst target width TW1 and a second writer of each recording head has asecond target width TW2. One target width (for example, TW1) is selectedto be wider than a median target width and the other target width (forexample, TW2) is selected to be narrower than the median target width.In such an embodiment, if the fabrication process drifts wider, thewriter(s) formed with the selected narrower target width (for example,TW2) will have actual widths that are closer to the median target width.Similarly, if the fabrication process drifts narrower, the writer(s)formed with the selected wider target width (for example, TW1) will haveactual widths that are closer to the median target width. A singlewriter formed by such a method is described below in connection withFIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of a recording head 400 viewed from anABS. Recording head 400 is formed by a fabrication process that employsdifferent target widths (for example, TW1 and TW2 described above) forindividual writers of the recording head 400. In the embodiment of FIG.4, recording head 400 includes two substantially coplanar writersdenoted by reference numerals 402 and 404, respectively. As will bedescribed further below, only one of writers 402 and 404 is selected tobe operational to record user data on one or more data storage mediasuch as 102 (of FIG. 1). Head 400 also includes a first return pole 406,a second return pole (or front shield) 408, side shields 412, insulatorgaps 410 and a reader assembly 414. The reader assembly 414 includes aread sensor element 416 positioned between a pair of reader shields 418.

First writer (Writer 1) 402 includes a main pole that defines a pole tip420. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, pole tip 420 has a trapezoidalshape along the ABS. A perimeter of pole tip 420 is defined by a leadingedge 422, a trailing edge 424, and two sidewalls 426 and 428. Theleading and trailing edges 422 and 424 are arranged opposite one anotherand substantially parallel to each other. The sidewalls 426 and 428define beveled edges of the first writer 402. A vertical axis 423 isdrawn to connect mid points 425 and 427 of edges 422 and 424,respectively, to indicate that the trapezoidal shape may be symmetricalabout the axis 423, so that parts of the trapezoid that are divided bythe axis 423 are mirror images of each other. In an alternateembodiment, pole tip 420 may be an asymmetrical trapezoid or may haveany other suitable shape/geometry. First writer 402 has an actual widthW1, which is a length of the trailing edge 424.

Second writer (Writer 2) 404 includes a main pole that defines a poletip 430. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, pole tip 430 has atrapezoidal shape along the ABS. A perimeter of pole tip 430 is definedby a leading edge 432, a trailing edge 434, and two sidewalls 436 and438. The leading and trailing edges 432 and 434 are arranged oppositeone another and substantially parallel to each other. The sidewalls 436and 438 define beveled edges of the second writer 404. A vertical axis433 is drawn to connect mid points 435 and 437 of edges 432 and 434,respectively, to indicate that the trapezoidal shape may be symmetricalabout the axis 433, so that parts of the trapezoid that are divided bythe axis 433 are mirror images of each other. In an alternateembodiment, pole tip 430 may be an asymmetrical trapezoid or may haveany other suitable shape/geometry. Second writer 404 has an actual widthW2, which is a length of the trailing edge 434. Although first writer402 and second writer 404 are described as being trapezoidal in shape,due to normal process variance, many pole tips are triangular in shape,i.e., leading edges 422 and 432 are zero.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first and second return poles 406 and408 are positioned adjacent to the respective leading and trailing edgesof the pole tips 420 and 430, separated by the electrically insulatingmaterial 410. The first return pole 406 can be coupled to a yoke (notshown in FIG. 4) through a leading back gap closer and the second returnpole 408 can be coupled to the main poles of both writers 402 and 404through a trailing back gap via. It should be noted that a recordinghead such as 400 may include elements such as writer heaters, a readerheater, a thermal asperity sensor, etc., which are not shown in theinterest of simplification.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, width W1 is greater than width W2. Selectionof either writer 402 or writer 404 to be the operational writer whenhead 400 is employed in a data storage device such as 100 (of FIG. 1)may depend on whether W1 or W2 is closer to the median target width.Advantages of fabricating a recording head with two different targetwidths are described below in connection with FIG. 5. Thereafter,methods for testing/selecting one of a plurality of writers of arecording head for operation in a data storage device are described inconnection with FIGS. 6-11.

Simulations indicate that, if two write poles are fabricatedindependently (i.e., their widths are uncorrelated) and the writer witha magnetic writer width (MWW) closest to a target MWW is selected, theeffective MWW sigma (i.e., standard deviation) will be only about 60% ofthe intrinsic sigma of a single write pole. However, to be costeffective, it may be advantageous to fabricate both write polessimultaneously and therefore their pole widths and MWW will be highlycorrelated. In this case, a +/− offset from target MWW for each writepole is required to achieve optimal sigma.

FIG. 5 is a graph including a plot 500 that shows a dependence of theeffective pole width sigma on a difference between a narrow and a widetarget width of Writer 1 and Writer 2, respectively. A vertical axis 502represents net pole width sigma normalized to “intrinsic” sigma. Ahorizontal axis 504 represents Writer 1-Writer 2 targeting delta inunits of “intrinsic” sigma. Widths of Writer 1 and Writer 2 are assumedto have a 90% correlation coefficient. As can be seen in FIG. 5, alowest net sigma is obtained when a write pole width of Writer 1 and awrite pole width of Writer 2 are targeted +/−0.85 sigma from the meanMWW target (i.e., about 1.7 sigma apart from each other), producing areduction in sigma of about 37% (point 505 in FIG. 5) compared to thecase of a single writer, which is denoted by 506 that indicates anormalized sigma value of 1 in plot 500. A normalized sigma valuedenoted by 508 is obtained when both Writer 1 and Writer 2 have the sameMWW target. It should be noted that there are different ways ofachieving the same or different MWW targets besides physical pole width.Also, physical pole width process variance may not be the greatestcontributor to MWW variance. For example, two writers with the same polewidth but different throat height dimension (behind the ABS) will havedifferent MWW. Thus, in general, different target geometries (obtainedby, for example, employing different widths and/or throat heights) maybe used to achieve different MWW targets.

Methods of testing and selecting one of the writers (for example, eitherWriter 1 or Writer 2) to be operational in a data storage device areintegral to taking advantage of the potential for reduced cost with theabove-described embodiment. The methods involve electrically testingWriter 1 and Writer 2 of a recording head such as 400. FIG. 6 is anembodiment showing an interconnect portion 600, also known as tracegimbal assembly (TGA), providing an electrical interface to electricalelements of a recording head 400. In FIG. 6, slider 140 having a leadingedge 154 and a trailing edge 156 is shown with its ABS 146 facingupwards. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the interconnect portion or TGA 600includes a plurality of bond pads 602 coupled to the traces 604 alongspaced gimbal arms 606 of a flex circuit extending along opposed sidesof the slider 140 to electrically connect the transducer elements of therecording head 400 to the head circuitry 132 (shown in FIG. 1). In oneembodiment, the traces 604 and bond pads 602 are formed of copper orother conductive material. Bond pads 602 connect to head/sliderconnection pads 605. Different schematic diagrams of slider-traceconnections in accordance with certain embodiments are shown in FIGS. 7,10A and 10B and described below.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing electrical connections between aslider including a recording head such as 400 having dual writers (forexample, 402 and 404) and a TGA. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, bothwriters and writer heaters may be connected to PCCA 134 (shown inFIG. 1) of a disc drive, for example, thereby allowing for selectedoperation of the writers in the drive. The reader is represented byreference numeral 416. In the interest of simplification, internalslider connections are not shown. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the dualwriter slider includes a plurality electrical connection pads. The padsinclude a heater for Writer 1 (Hw1) pad 702, a heater for Writer 2 (Hw2)pad 704, a heater for reader (Hr) pad 706, reader connection pads (R−)708 and (R+) 710, thermal asperity detection sensor pads (Ty) 712 and(Tx) 714, a ground connection (G) pad 716, Writer 1 connection pads(W1+) 718 and (W1−) 720, and Writer 2 connection pads (W2+) 722 and(W2−) 724. Equivalent TGA connection pads 726-748 are included on theright side of FIG. 7. The interconnect traces are represented byreference numeral 604.

A can be seen in FIG. 7, both writers 402 and 404 (and the writeheaters) are electrically connected via the TGA, such that test andselection of the optimal writer (402 or 404) can occur at a componentspinstand tester and/or in the respective disc drive that employs therecording head. Choosing the optimal writer in the drive may allow forincreased flexibility at drive certification with regard to finalcapacity. This could include, for example, choosing one writer for adrive using shingled magnetic recording (SMR) and targeting a highercapacity point.

The embodiment in FIG. 7 provides maximum flexibility, but it is not thelowest cost solution, however, as it drives additional interconnecttraces and perhaps an additional write driver and heater driver, orpreamplifier switches, in the drive. An alternate embodiment is to testand select the optimal writer using a slider dynamic electrical test(SDET). A general embodiment of a head suspension assembly that may beemployed in a slider tester is described below in connection with FIG.8. Thereafter, a method of testing a dual writer recording head isdescribed in connection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a head suspension assembly 800that may be utilized in a slider tester. In the interest ofsimplification, components such as a recording disc, spindle motor,controller, etc., that may be employed in the slider tester are notshown. Head suspension 800 includes load beam assembly 802, a flexcircuit 804 and a socket 806 that releasably secures slider 808, whichmay include a recording head such as 400. The flex circuit 804 hasconnectors (not shown) that turn inwardly to make connection toelectrical contacts (not illustrated here) on the main body of socket806. Slider 108 is releasably secured to socket 106 and can therefore beeasily inserted and removed for testing. Details of socket 806 includingits electrical connectors are excluded in the interest ofsimplification. An embodiment for testing a dual writer slider isdescribed below in connection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a simplified flow diagram 900 of a method of testing a dualwriter slider in accordance with one embodiment. At step 902,fabrication of a dual writer wafer is carried out as described above inconnection with FIG. 3. Thereafter, the fabricated wafer is sliced intobars at step 904 and machined to form sliders with air bearing surfacesat step 906. Both steps 904 and 906 may be carried out in a mannerdescribed above in connection with FIG. 3. At step 908, a SDET may becarried out using a slider tester having a suspension assembly such as800, which allows for insertion, testing, and subsequent removal of theslider. If the slider fails tests carried out by the slider tester, thefailed slider may be set aside or discarded at step 910. If the sliderpasses tests carried out in the slider tester and Writer 1 is selected,Writer 1 is attached to a TGA at step 912. If the slider passes testscarried out in the slider tester and Writer 2 is selected, Writer 2 isattached to a TGA at step 914. At step 916, the selected writer (Writer1 or Writer 2) with its attached TGA is connected in a head stackassembly (HSA). Thereafter, at step 918, remaining portions of the driveare assembled, and the assembled drive is tested.

The method described above in connection with FIG. 9 may involve sortingthe tested slider population into three different test result groupssuch as “Writer 1,” Writer 2″ and “Fail.” The Writer 1 and Writer 2groups would each then have their own unique TGA interconnect assemblyto which they would be mated. This is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B thatillustrate slider and TGA interconnect schematics for a Writer 1selected slider/TGA and a Writer 2 selected slider/TGA, respectively. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the tail pad layouts of both TGAs areidentical. In the interest of simplification, internal sliderconnections not shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, thesame reference numerals used in FIG. 7 are utilized forsimilar/corresponding elements. Also, in the interest of brevity, adescription of those similar elements is not repeated. As can be seen inFIGS. 10A and 10B, pad Hw (1006) can be connected to either Hw1 (702) orHw2 (704). Similarly, W− (1002) can be connected to W1− (720) or W2−(724) and W+ (1004) can be connected to W1+ (718) or W2+ (722). Sincethe opposite (PCCA connect) end of the TGAs or the tail pad layouts aresubstantially identical, minimal to no additional hardware ortest/optimization cost would be required to accommodate both groups ofheads (i.e., heads with Writer 1 selected or heads with Writer 2selected) in the drive.

While an aspect of this disclosure is for each writer to have a separatepole width target, the selection method need not be limited to MWW,particularly if both writers have MWW close to the median target. Theoperational writer can also be selected based on other parameters suchas (but not limited to) bit error rate (BER), areal density capability(ADC), overwrite (OVW), adjacent track interference (ATI), erasure afterwriting (EAW), or a combination thereof.

While the current embodiments show separate, independentpads/connections for each of the writer coils and writer heaters,alternate embodiments may contain one or more pad sharing schemesbetween Writer 1 and Writer 2 and Heater 1 and Heater 2, for example.

FIG. 11 is a simplified flow diagram 1100 of general method embodiment.At step 1102, a plurality of writers is formed with each of theplurality of writers having a different target geometry. At step 1104,recording measurements are performed on one or more storage media usingeach different one of the plurality of writers. At step 1106, one of theplurality of writers is selected to be operational in a data storagedevice based on a comparison of the recording measurements of thedifferent ones of the plurality of writers to a predetermined quantity.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be reduced. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to limit the scope of this applicationto any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, itshould be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed toachieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specificembodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and allsubsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be usedto interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to themaximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is tobe determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of thefollowing claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted orlimited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data storage device comprising: one or moredata storage media; and at least one recording head having substantiallycoplanar first and second writers of different geometries, wherein oneof the first or the second writer is configured to be operational torecord user data on the one or more data storage media, and wherein theother one of the first or the second writer is configured to never beoperational to store user data in the data storage device.
 2. The datastorage device of claim 1 and further comprising an interconnectassembly comprising generic traces configured to be selected toelectrically connect to either connection pads of the first writer orconnection pads of the second writer, thereby eliminating a need for anyseparate trace connections to the one of the first or second writer notoperational to store user data.
 3. The data storage device of claim 1and further comprising a bearing surface, and wherein the first writerhas a first pole tip that defines a first trapezoidal or triangularperimeter along the bearing surface, and wherein the second writer has asecond pole tip that defines a second trapezoidal or triangularperimeter along the bearing surface.
 4. The data storage device of claim3 and wherein a trailing edge of the first trapezoidal or triangularperimeter has a first length that is greater than a second length of atrailing edge of the second trapezoidal or triangular perimeter.
 5. Thedata storage device of claim 1 and wherein the first writer comprises afirst heater and the second writer comprises a second heater.
 6. A datastorage device comprising: one or more data storage media; and at leastone recording head having a plurality of writers of differinggeometries, with one of the plurality of writers configured to beoperational to record user data on the one or more data storage mediaand the other ones of the plurality of writers configured to never beoperational to store user data in the data storage device.
 7. The datastorage device of claim 6 and wherein different ones of the plurality ofwriters are substantially coplanar.
 8. The data storage device of claim6 and further comprising an interconnect assembly comprising a generictrace coupled to the one of the plurality of writers that is operationalto record the user data on the one or more data storage media, whereinthe other ones of the plurality of writers that are non-operational inthe data storage device have no trace connections.
 9. The data storagedevice of claim 6 and further comprising a bearing surface, and whereina first writer of the plurality of writers has a first pole tip thatdefines a first trapezoidal or triangular perimeter along the bearingsurface, and wherein a second writer of the plurality of writers has asecond pole tip that defines a second trapezoidal or triangularperimeter along the bearing surface.
 10. The data storage device ofclaim 9 and wherein a trailing edge of the first trapezoidal ortriangular perimeter has a first length that is greater than a secondlength of a trailing edge of the second trapezoidal or triangularperimeter.
 11. The data storage device of claim 6 and wherein each oneof the plurality of writers comprises a heater.
 12. A data storagedevice comprising: one or more data storage media; and at least onerecording head having a plurality of writers of different pre-selectedgeometries, with one of the plurality of writers configured to beoperational to record user data on the one or more data storage mediaand the other ones of the plurality of writers configured to never beoperational to store user data in the data storage device.
 13. The datastorage device of claim 12 and wherein different ones of the pluralityof writers have different geometries.
 14. The data storage device ofclaim 12 and wherein different ones of the plurality of writers aresubstantially coplanar.
 15. The data storage device of claim 12 andfurther comprising an interconnect assembly comprising a generic tracecoupled to the one of the plurality of writers that is operational torecord the user data on the one or more data storage media, wherein theother ones of the plurality of writers that are non-operational in thedata storage device have no trace connections.
 16. The data storagedevice of claim 13 and further comprising a bearing surface, and whereina first writer of the plurality of writers has a first pole tip thatdefines a first trapezoidal or triangular perimeter along the bearingsurface, and wherein a second writer of the plurality of writers has asecond pole tip that defines a second trapezoidal or triangularperimeter along the bearing surface.
 17. The data storage device ofclaim 16 and wherein a trailing edge of the first trapezoidal ortriangular perimeter has a first length that is greater than a secondlength of a trailing edge of the second trapezoidal or triangularperimeter.
 18. The data storage of claim 1 and wherein: a width of thefirst writer is different from a width of the second writer; or a throatheight of the first writer is different from a throat of the secondwriter.
 19. The data storage device of claim 6 and wherein differentones of the plurality of writers have different widths.
 20. The datastorage device of claim 6 and wherein different ones of the plurality ofwriters have different throat heights.